Roger Charles Jaqua

Roger C. Jaqua, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at the age of 94 years and 5 months. He was born on Strong Street in Napoleon, on February 10, 1930, to Charles and Ida (Hahn) Jaqua. In December 1950, he married Carolyn Sauber of Napoleon. They brought five sons into the world. Roger lived his earliest and later years with an inclination to seriousness, learning and exactness. There were times he could be humorous, but he was never a party to horseplay or to harm others. As a boy, Roger attended the St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School that is now the Napoleon Public Library building. Graduating from Napoleon High School Class of 1948, he was then accepted into the work-study degree program of General Motors Institute (GMI) at Flint, Michigan. He continued to work with GM Chevrolet until 1976. His areas of specialty were auto and truck gear manufacture, aluminum die casting, and engineering drawings. He was given the title of master mechanic. His exposure to the General Motors environment and their industrial might, formed in him an attitude of confidence and understanding how to complete projects large or small. Being a blessed man, he was able to provide for his family in ways few fathers were given. Following his GM job offers, his family first lived in Liberty Center, Ohio, then Northern New York State, suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, and finally a Holgate, Ohio farmhouse. He was later employed by Henry Filters of Bowling Green, and retired from Gilson Screen of Malinta, Ohio. As a boy he sold and helped deliver ice cream and as a teenage helper/mechanic, he worked at the Ford garage and Nickles Bakery of Napoleon. Roger became acquainted with people from all walks of life along the way. He studied radio receivers and transmitters as a hobby. Roger became a licensed Ham Radio Operator as did most of his close and talented high school classmate, Herb Huddle. Another school friend of his past was Paul Busch, Napoleon Class of 1946. Paul became disabled as a teenager due to a serious fall from a bicycle. Paul never made a true recovery and after some years did not walk again. Roger was able to outfit Paul with a radio transmitter and antenna hook up that Paul could use while bedridden. The two of them communicated often for many years, using 1950’s to 1960’s tube technology. In his early years, he and his wife, as well as some of his sons, went on camping trips through the 48 States and the Provinces of Canada. They visited everything from mountains, deserts and lakes to vast fields of grain. That is the wealth and peace of the US and Canada. Roger and his wife Carolyn had perhaps 10 years of enjoying Punta Gorda, Florida and Mathis, Texas areas during retirement. They came back to Ohio to spend their remaining years nearer to grandchildren and friends. Although elderly, he took pleasure in repairing things and helping others or sharing an experience from the far past. He was contented that he lived a long life and was ready to go home. Through the gift of God’s grace to His followers, may there be a place in the Kingdom for Roger. Surviving are his wife, Carolyn; brother, John; sons, Phillip, Timothy, Paul and Thomas, He was predeceased by the oldest son, Mark. Also remaining are 3 daughters-in-law, 4 nieces, 4 nephews, and 6 grandchildren. There will not be any public services. Rogers’ ashes are to be interred at Grelton Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon

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Roger Charles Jaqua

February 10, 1930 - July 7, 2024